Othello: the Moor of Venice
William Shakespeare
Iago once again proves himself to be the master of manipulation. For once in the play, Othello approaches the truth that Iago is a compulsive liar and his wife is true her husband. Regardless, Iago manages to deflect accusations of falsehood and lament the fate of his good intentions: "Take note, take note, O world, To be direct and honest is not safe. I thank you for this profit, and from hence I'll love no friend, sith love breeds such offense," (III.iii.378-381).
Although the confrontation between Othello and Iago is brief, it contains several complexities. On the surface, Iago's speaker utilizes a paradox to present an image of the world. Although people labor to bring the truth, and Iago's speaker certainly showed hesitance in suggesting an affair to Othello, the truth is met with wrath. How it pained Iago to question Desdemona's fidelity out of concern for Othello, yet the Moor lashes out at Iago and demands proof. Once again, although the reader knows Othello's doubts about Iago's accusations to be rooted in truth, Iago's paradoxical claim holds some truth in the story.
Despite Iago's verbal irony, the roles of honest friend and ungrateful menace are indeed present in the story, though not as Iago's speaker suggested. In reality, Othello is the face of honesty; he courageously exposes his marriage to Brabantio and even heeds Iago's words as though they were infallible truth. Iago has a benevolent superior and dedicated friend. Yet, even though Othello is a paragon of friendship, Iago repays him with deceit and cunning. He has threatened Othello's marriage by revealing it to Brabantio and by making Othello himself question the marriage's ties all while convinced Othello that Iago is his loyal and trustworthy subordinate.
When the reader investigates the paradox further, he realizes that, though from an untrustworthy origin, the account holds true.
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